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PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD 



ASBURY 
• PARK • 

NEW JERSEY 




ASB URY PARK 



A PRESENTATION OF ITS ATTRAC- 
TIONS AS A SEASHORE RESORT 



NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL 
ASSOCIATION EDITION 



NINETEEN HUNDRED AND FIVE 



Pennsylvania Railroad 

J. R. Wood, Passenger Traffic Mgr. 
Geo. W. BOYD.Gen'l Passenger Agt. 



Copyright. 190S. 

by 

The Pennsylvania Railroad Co. 












^^f$ 



AT Asbury Park one finds a charming: 
blending of the sylvan and the marine. 
It is a park on the brink of the sea. The 
wooded highlands of New Jersey and the 
ocean's restless waves almost meet across 
the narrow strand. One turns from the sandy 
beach, lapped by the surges of the sea, to 
the broad streets of the city, bordered with 
spreading trees, whose thick foliage in some 
instances forms leafy arbors over the entire 



"^^IP 



avenue. Those accustomed to the noontide 
glare at some seaside resorts will appreciate 
the grateful shade these trees afford during 
the summer season. It is a unique feature. 
Were it not for the sound of the breakers, 
the visitor could well imagine himself many 
miles from the ocean, so like a prosperous 
inland town is this Sylvan City by the Sea. 

And yet Asbury Park is a typical sea- 
shore resort. Upon its boardwalk, eighty 
feet in width and three miles in length, one 
may walk for hours, inhaling the saline 
breezes rrom the ocean which beats upon the 
beach only a few yards distant. One may 
enjoy the exhilaration of a bath in the surges 
which break upon the sands. One may be 
amused in varied ways as the fancy dictates. 
The fisherman finds plenty of opportunity 
for engaging in his favorite sport, and the 
sailor may toss for hours on the bright blue 
sea. And all this within sight of bright 
flowers, green grass and the monarchs of the 
forest which surround the city and invade its 
very thoroughfares. 





Asbury Park is fortunate in ita location. 
The center of a chain of resorts extending 
from Seabright, on the hillocks of Sandy 
Hook, to Point Pleasant at the head of Bar- 
negat Bay, it is the metropolis of the North 
New Jersey Coast. Its neighbors are settle- 
ments inhabited from early Summer to late 
Fall by representatives of the best families 
in the land. Nothing that brains and money 
can devise has been left out in the building 
up of these pretty towns. 




« 






The city is bounded upon three sides by 
water. In front stretches the ocean ; to the 
north is Deal Lake, a beautiful body of water 
which extends from within a few yards of' 
the ocean back into the country for some 
distance. It is dotted with islets and is a 
favorite point of resort. On the southern 
border is Wesley Lake, which separates 
Asbury Park from its neighbor, Ocean Grove. 

Sunset Lake, which is also dotted with 
small islands, lies in the northern section of 
the city. It is the Mecca of many a gay 
party in summer time. These pretty lakes, 
with Fletcher Lake, which lies to the south of 
Ocean Grove, are a feature of this section of 
the New Jersey Coast. Containing perfectly 
fresh water, they extend, in some instances, 
to within a few yards of the ocean, only a 
narrow strip of beach dividing the fresh 
water from the brine of the ocean. 

About these lakes the fine old trees, 
which are such a feature of the city, cluster 
thickly. On the upper portions of Deal 
Lake one may row for hours beneath the 




shade with never a thought of the busy 
city streets so near and yet seemingly so 
far away. 

Visitors to Asbury Park are impressed 
at once with the delightful sense of the 
beauty and comfort of the private resi- 
dences and cottages which line its shaded 
avenues. It is preeminently a "home" city. 
In no large seashore resort on the Atlantic 
Coast does cottage life enter so largely into 
the social make-up as here. 

Standmg upon any of the avenues, one 
sees upon either side hundreds of beautiful 
residences, many of them costly in con- 
struction, and all artistic in architecture. 
There is every evidence of culture and 
refinement, and one misses, without regret, 
the garishncss which so often enters into 
the architecture of a resort town. 

There has been no sacrifice of beauty 
and comfort to economize in space. The 
majority of the cottages sit from fifteen to 
twenty feet back from the broad sidewalks, 
and all are surroimded by well-kept green 





sward. In summer time these lawns are 
ablaze with flowers. This feature of deco- 
ration is a charming adjunct to Asbury Park's 
many beauties. One may see a perfect 
wealth of bloom during the whole 
summer season. 

Many of the cottages are em- 
bowered in vines; roses, wisteria 
and other climbing vines bloom 
in gorgeous profusion, set off, like jewels, 
against the green sward, the green trees and 





the varied hues of shinprle and stnne. The 
city authorities have provided great beds of 
flowers at the ocean end of each avenue, as 
■well as along the esplanade which skirts the 
beach back of the boardwalk. One does not 
soon forget the picture formed by this com- 
bination of color, through which gleams, in 
hundreds of vistas, the blue ocean. 

To many the cottage life does not appeal- 
So Asbury Park offers to them a selection of 
about three hundred hotels, the rates of 
which are graded to suit all visitors. Many 
of these are large and well appointed, several 
being open during the whole year. All are 
comfortable and always ready to welcome 
the incoming visitor with cheerful hospi- 
tality. Many of the cottages are also open 
to receive guests in smaller numbers. 

The city itself stands at the forefront 
among American resorts. The municipal 
authorities have spent large amounts upon 
its beautification, particularly of its beach 
front. Like all seaside resorts, a portion of 
the city is devoted to business interests. But 








these do not intrude themselves unpleasantly 
upon the visitor. There is no sense of com- 
mercialism apparent either in the well-kept 
hotels, the residence section or the boardwalk. 
This structure is practically free from 
places of business, save the few small booths 
in the Arcade and Casino, and the offices of 





the bathinj^ houses. The former structures, 
which are centers of attraction to the visitor, 
are the only obstructions to a clear view of 
the ocean in the whole length of the board- 
walk. 

It is proposed to build a fine ocean pier 
at the northern end of the city, extending 




from the boardwalk nearly half a mile sea- 
ward. A shorter pier, near the center of 
the city, is utilized by fishermen and many 
a finny capture has been made from its end 
and sides. The departure of the fishing 
schooner, which makes daily trips to the 
banks about fifteen miles off shore, is an 
event of importance in the summer program. 

One need not lack amusement at Asbury 
Park. It caters to young and old ; the serious 
and the gay ; the student and the athlete, 
and no one particular class interferes with 
the enjoyment of others. There is not a 
week during the summer season during 
which some particular public function is 
not being held, chief among which is the 
Baby Carnival, usually held during the 
month of August, which attracts thousands 
of visitors. 

As all seaside resorts, the beach is the 
chief center of attraction at Asbury Park 
Hundreds of visitors spend almost the whole 
day on its gentle slope. Its soft sand and 
pebbles are a source of endless delight to 




little ones, and children of a larger growth 
find almost as much pleasure in it. 

The bathing is remarkably good. One 
may enjoy a dip in the surf at almost every 
point of the beach from the lower end of 
Ocean Grove to the upper end of North 
Asbury Park with perfect safety, and thou- 
sands enjoy the exhilaration of this sport 
every year. For those who do not care for 
the surf bathing, there are several pools 
where they may get all the tonic benefit of 
the sea water without the excitement of 
fighting the waves. 

At the two main centers of attraction on 
the boardwalk, the Casino, and the Arcade, 
located directly on the ocean front, band con- 
certs and other forms of diversion are daily 
occurences. These places, while providing 
bright amusement for old and young are kept 
free from objectionable features. Theatrical 
performances are also a feature of the sum- 
mer life, engagements being placed by high 
class attractions which draw patrons not only 
from the Iiotcls but from the many cottages. 




The hotels are centers of amusement. 
Frequent dances and card parties are features 
of the social life at these hostelries, whose 
hosts meet their guests more than half way 
in providing those little extra delights which 
go quite far in making a summer vacation 
enjoyable. 

To the younger element the numerous 
carrousels and similar forms of amusement 
appeal more strongly than do the concerts 
and the quieter forms of diversion. Care 
is taken to surround these places, none of 
which obtrude themselves unpleasantly upon 
those desiring the peace and quiet of the 
seashore, with reasonable regulations. 

The lakes afford an almost endless source 
of delight to summer visitors. Craft of many 
descriptions, the old fashioned flat bottomed 
rowboat, the graceful canoe, busy naphtha 
and electric launches and small sail boats, dot 
the quiet waters of Fletcher, Wesley, Sunset 
and Deal Lakes morning, noon and night. 

During the summer numerous boat-car- 
nivals are held on these lakes, some during 





the daylight hours, and some at night, when 
fireworks and the illumination of the craft 
are special features. The bridges crossing 
the large lakes are lighted with electric lights, 
and around Wesley and Sunset Lakes stretch 
chains of small incandescent lamps, which 
make a fairylike scene after nightfall. 






Fishing and crabbing are two forms of 
relaxation that appeal to many and they may 
be indulged in during the whole Summer. In 
addition to the fine fishing from the ocean 
pier, there is good angling in the lakes. If 
one desires, a trip may be made to the fishing 
banks at sea, on the little schooner which 
makes daily trips. Crabbing parties usually 
journey a few miles down the shore to 
Shark River^ where the crustaceans fairly 
swarm. This journey may be made by trolley 
or train. 

For the athletic minded, there is much 
opportunity fur pursuing one's choice of 
sport. Golf, tennis, baseball, bowling and 
shuffle-board playing are favorites during 
the Summer. 

Just north of Deal Lake lies the Golt 
course of the Deal Country Club, one of the 
prettiest in the State of Kew Jersey. Here 
devotees of '* the ancient game " spend hours 
in pursuit of health and pleasure on the per- 
fect tees and greens of these famous links. 
Frequent tournaments and social events at 






the attractive club house furnish a never- 
failing source of delight. 

Thousands of dollars have been spent by 
the officers of the Country Club in improve- 
ments to the course. Its location upon a 
porous soil, permitting the most perfect 
natural drainage, ensures dry greens. Care 
is taken to keep the putting greens level 
and free from obstructions. The course is 
naturally diversified, and, with well-con- 
structed bunkers and other artificial haz- 
ards, provides as sporty playing as could be 
desired. 

Tennis is largely indulged in, the courts 
at the Country Club providing ample oppor- 
tunity for this sport. In addition, many of 
the cottagers have constructed courts on 
their lawns. Baseball enthusiasts find their 
Mecca in the fine athletic field just outside 
the city where numerous matches are played 
during the Summer. Bowling and shuffle- 
board, too, have their devotees. 

No resort section in the world presents 
so many delights to the driver and auto- 




mobilist as Monmouth County, in which is 
situated Asbury Park. Hundreds of miles 
of hard roads radiate in all directions, cover- 
ing a country charming in natural beauty, 
enhanced by the development of money and 
brains, and filled with historic associations. 

Along the Atlantic Shore from the 
heights of Atlantic Highlands to the head of 
Barnegat Bay, extends, almost unbrokenly, 
a boulevard which is the delight and wonder 
of all who see it. Through the lovely settle- 
ments of Sea bright, Monmouth Beach, Long 
Branch, West End, Elbcron, Deal, AUcn- 
hurst, it stretches to Wesley Lake without a 
break save for turns. Beyond Wesley Lake, 
after passing through Ocean Grove, it con- 
tinues through Bradley Beach, Avon, Belmar. 
Como, Spring Lake and Sea Girt to Point 
Pleasant. Throughout this entire distance 
of twenty miles, it winds its way past cot- 
tages and hotels which cannot be surpassed 
anywhere for beauty and comfort. 

The superb villas which line it on either 
side have gardens which arc a triumph of 




horticultural art. To the north of Asbury 
Park these sweep back from the boulevard 
to the bluff overlooking: the ocean. Nothing 
that wealth could provide has been spared 
in the adornment of these places. The road 
itself, laid in stone for almost its entire 
Icn^thi is wide and always kept in perfect 
driving condition. The character of the 
soil precludes the existence of dust. 

Another road runs parallel with the 
shore boulevard about a half a mile inland. 
The famous Rumsen Road, one of the finest 
driveways in the State, affords superb driving 
and automobiling for miles. Southward and 
westward from Asbury Park other fine roads 
lead to the many attractive pine-belt towns. 

During the summer season these roads 
are constantly filled with a procession of 
vehicles. Not even Newport, with its mag- 
nificence of riches, excels this passing show 
of society, with its elegant gowns and hand- 
some equipages, on a summer afternoon. 'Tis 
Newport, Saratoga and Nice combined in a 
setting of natural beauty not to be found in 



ir~ 



cither of these resorts. One may procure 
vehicles of all kinds from the livery stables 
maintained in Asbury Park, so that driving 
and auto rides are frequent. 

The excellent service maintained by the 
Pennsylvania Railroad makes Asbury Park 
neighbor to every large city in the United 
States. Fifty-five miles distant from New 
York and eighty-nine miles from Philadel- 
phia, it is connected with these cities by 
frequent trains in both directions. To and 
from Philadelphia one has a choice of two 
routes, one following the main line of the 
railroad between Philadelphia and New 
York to Monmouth Junction, thence cutting 
through the famous pine-belt of Northern 
New Jersey to the coast at Sea Girt, and 
Asbury Park; the other leaving Market 
Street Wharf, Philadelphia, and running in 
almost a straight line to the shore at Sea 
Side Park, and thence up the coast to Asbury 
Park. 

Trains are also run during the summer 
season between Broad Street Station, Phila- 










delphia, and Asbury Park by way of the 
famous Delaware River Bridge, and Sea Side 
Park. The highest grade of service is main- 
tained on both the New York and Philadel- 
phialines, and connections may be made from 
all parts of the country at both of these cities. 




Ocean Grove, Asbury Park's next-door 
neighbor, which directly adjoins Asbury 
Park on the south, is one of the unique 
resorts in the United States. Founded many 
years ago as a camp-meeting site, it has 
been developed under the care of the Meth- 
odist Church until to-day it is one of the 
world's greatest centers of religious thought. 

In its auditorium, seating ten thousand 
persons, are held every year great moral 
meetings which are attended by members of 
every religious sect. Magnificent concerts 
are given there by large choruses, and the 
whole atmosphere of the place is tinged with 
religious sentiment. 

Ruled by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting 
Association, many of its rules seem strict in 
these liberal days, but the prosperity of the 
place bears evidence of the fact that there 
is a large number of people to whom such a 
resort is attractive. It has many large hotels, 
but the bulk of the summer population live 
in small cottages, and many occupy tents 
during their stay in true camp-meeting style 




MEETING OF THE NATIONAL 
EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION 

AS BURY PARK will be particularly 
prominent this Summer from the fact 
that the Forty-fourth Annual Meeting of the 
National Educational Association is to be 
held there July 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th. 
This organization numbers among its mem- 
bership educators from all sections of the 
United States, and it is promised that this 
year's session will be one of the most im- 
portant ever held. 

The use of the Ocean Grove auditorium 
has been tendered the National Educational 
Association for its convention, and it is pro- 
posed not only to hold the sessions of the 
convention there, but to have numerous 
concerts and other forms of diversion in 
this enormous hall during the sojourn of 
the delegates in Asbury Park.. 

The Pennsylvania Railroad Company 
cells regularly special low- rate excursion 




tickets lo Asbury Park within a radius of 
about loo miles. The fares for these excur- 
sion tickets vary according to the limit, short 
limit excursion tickets being available at 
slightly more than the one-way fare. 

From points more than loo miles distant 
from Asbury Park, special excursion tickets 
including membership coupon, will be sold 
on account of the National Educational As- 
sociation Meeting at greatly reduced rates. 
These special tickets will be sold July ist, 
2d and 3d, good for return passage until 
July loth. If ticket is dt-posited with Joint 
Agent, Asbury Park, not later than July 
loth, and a fee of fifty cents paid at 
time of deposit, the return limit will be 
extended to August 31st. A ten-day stop- 
over, not to exceed the final limit, will be 
allowed in New York City on National Edu- 
cational excursion tickets reading through 
that point. To secure the stop-over at 
New York, tickets must be deposited with 
Joint Agent and fee of $i.oo paid at time 
of deposit. 




Stop-over will be permitted at Washing- 
ton, Baltimore and Philadelphia on tickets 
reading through those cities. Stop-over on 
going trip will be limited to July 3d. On the 
return trip stop-over will be allowed within 
the final limit of July loth, and where tickets 
have been extended at Asbury Park, within 
the extended limit of August 31st, not to ex- 
ceed ten days. To obtain stop-over, tickets 
must be deposited with depot ticket agent 
immediately on arrival in the city at which 
stop-over is desired. 

Full information concerning rates to 
Asbury Park, both for the Meeting of the 
National Educational Association and for 
tickets regularly on sale, may be had of any 
Pennsylvania Railroad Ticket Agent. 







Pennsyl 

Toy\SBUF 



LIBRfiRY OF CONGRESS 



014 205 075 4 




AMERICAN 

■ AKK N ore 

COMPANY 
KE W YORK 



LIBRARY OF 



CONGRESS 




014 205 075 4 



HoIIinger 

pH 8.5 

Mill Run F3..1719 



\ 



UBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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014 205 075 4 



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HoIIinger 

pH 8.5 

Mill Run F3i.l719 



